activo
/aɡˈtibo/
The Spanish word for active is activo.
The adjective is used to describe someone or something as brisk or lively. You may also use the synonym animado/animada to convey the sense of being lively.
Meaning: brisk, lively (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it describes, so use activa for feminine nouns. For masculine plural or mixed-gender groups, use activos. For groups consisting entirely of females, use activas.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡˈtibo/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, activo can be used as a euphemism to describe the dominant partner in a relationship, a nuance not found in the English 'active'.
- The synonym animado comes from the word alma, meaning 'soul'. To be animado is literally to be 'souled' or 'filled with spirit'.
- The word activo can also be a noun in Spanish, referring to an 'asset' in an accounting context, such as 'activos totales' for 'total assets'.
Examples in context
- David es muy activo.David is very active.This sentence shows how to describe a person using activo.Tatoeba #1147909 by Shishir, translation #39340 by CN
- Son más activos de noche.They are more active at night.This sentence uses activo to describe being active at night.Tatoeba #1783157 by marcelostockle, translation #1782817 by Amastan
- Tom y Mary son miembros activos.Tom and Mary are active members.This sentence uses activo to describe members.Tatoeba #2415694 by hayastan, translation #2412493 by CK
- Soy una persona muy activaI am a very active person
- ¡Este lugar siempre está activo!This place is always active!
- ¡Ponte las pilas!Get active!
- Necesito estar en movimiento para sentirme bienI need to be active to feel good
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking about their elderly neighbor.
- Mateo¿Tu abuelo es muy activo?Is your grandfather very active?
- MaríaSí, él es muy activo para su edad.Yes, he is very active for his age.
- MateoQué bueno que sea tan activo.It is good that he is so active.
- MaríaSí, siempre está haciendo cosas.Yes, he is always doing things.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry activo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
